Not a serious squirrel hunter, but prior to deer season I hunt them as an excuse to get out and scout. After deer season I'll often go for a walk in the woods with a 22. I don't really take it serious, but if a squirrel is dumb enough to get within range I'll take a shot.

urbaneruralite

January 13, 2013, 04:24 PM

I hunt them a little.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/nonnydarnell/IMG_8716.jpg

Not in a long time, but I would like to go again. I have a .22 rifle and a 12 ga. that need a workout and I figure tree-rats would be as good as any. :)

GooseGestapo

January 17, 2013, 11:04 PM

I'll hunt them most every day of the season, even while deer hunting.... in my front and back yard. I won't shoot one in the yard unless my fiest trees it.
She IS a squirrel hunter. Lives and breaths to hunt squirrels. Took every bit of 5min one afternoon when she was 3mos old to teach her to tree a squirrel hide.... She held the tree for 45min till I pulled her off of it.
But, then, three of her "cousins" won the '08, 09, and '10 National field trials (NATFA).

I hunt them with a .22lr unless working the dog. Then, I'll use a 20, 28ga, or .410 so that the dog gets to "fight" a wounded squirrel from time to time. I particlularily enjoy shooting them with either an S&W 617 or Ruger MkI handgun.

Yes, I do eat them too, hence head shooting them with my .22. Usually par-boiled and then either fried or grilled.

I have several .22's, but my favorite one is a CZ452 "American". It has a sporter bbl and is very light at about 5lbs with a Leupold "compact" 3x-9x scope. With match ammo (Fiocchi v320, Federal GoldMedal, Wolf Match "Gold", Eley 10x) it'll shoot 1-hole groups at 50yds. (I've worked the trigger down to about 2.5lbs). With Winchester PowerPoints or CCI MiniMags, it'll run at or under 1/2" at 50yds....
However, my favorite is either the Fiocchi or CCI "subsonic" hollow points. This allows me to shoot more squirrels before they "spook" due to the "CRACK" of the supersonic ammo. They run about 3/4" at 50yds... Adequate for hunting taking head shots a typical ranges.
My best outing this year has been nine in one morning. Could have stayed a little longer and limited out (12 daily in Geogia), but had other business to take care of.... Had to leave a few to work the dog on after deer season goes out...